Leave No Trace Principles

Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. These seven principles help minimize our impact on the environment, preserve the natural beauty of wild places, and ensure future generations can enjoy the same experiences we treasure today.

At Northwest Trails, we believe that the more you know about and appreciate natural places, the more likely you'll help protect them. By following these principles, you become a steward of the wilderness areas, national parks, forests, and trails across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Northern California.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Proper planning protects you and the environment. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the need for marking paint, rock cairns, or flagging.

Planning Tips:

Check weather forecasts and trail conditions before departing
Research permit requirements and seasonal closures
Know your physical limits and choose appropriate trails
Pack the 10 Essentials: navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire starter, repair kit, nutrition, hydration, emergency shelter
Have a backup plan if conditions change
Leave trip details with someone at home

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is unnecessary.

Trail and Camp Tips:

Stay on designated trails and avoid shortcuts
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy
Keep campsites small and focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent
In popular areas, concentrate use on existing trails and campsites
In pristine areas, disperse use to prevent the creation of new trails and campsites
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Waste Management Tips:

Bring bags specifically for packing out trash
Use a trowel to dig proper catholes for human waste
Never bury or burn toilet paper—pack it out in sealed bags
Strain food particles from dishwater and pack them out
Use unscented, biodegradable soap sparingly
In some areas, pack out all human waste (check regulations)

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures or furniture or dig trenches.

Preservation Tips:

Take pictures, not souvenirs—leave natural objects for others to enjoy
Do not pick wildflowers or collect plants
Observe wildlife from a distance without disturbing them
Leave gates and property as you find them
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches
Clean boots and gear between trips to prevent spreading invasive species

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Fire Safety Tips:

Check fire restrictions before your trip—many areas ban fires seasonally
Use a camp stove instead of a fire when possible
If you must have a fire, keep it small and use existing fire rings
Never leave fires unattended
Collect only dead and downed wood no thicker than an adult wrist
Completely extinguish fires, ensuring ashes are cool to touch
In high-use areas, consider packing out charcoal and ash

Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Wildlife Safety Tips:

Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for wildlife viewing
Give animals plenty of space—if they change behavior, you're too close
Store food in bear-resistant containers or hang it properly
Never feed wildlife, even small animals like chipmunks and birds
Keep dogs on leash and under control at all times
Be aware of seasonal wildlife concerns (nesting birds, bear activity, etc.)
Learn to identify and avoid poison oak, venomous snakes, and other hazards

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises. Keep noise levels down and leave electronic devices at home or on silent mode.

Trail Etiquette Tips:

Hikers yield to horses; bikers yield to hikers and horses; downhill travelers yield to uphill travelers
Step aside to let faster hikers pass
Take breaks off-trail to avoid blocking the path
Keep voices down and minimize noise
Use headphones if you must listen to music
Avoid camping within sight or sound of other groups
Be respectful of private property adjacent to public lands

Why Leave No Trace Matters

The Pacific Northwest's natural beauty attracts millions of visitors each year. Without responsible practices, our favorite places would quickly show signs of overuse—eroded trails, polluted water sources, disturbed wildlife, and degraded campsites. By following Leave No Trace principles, each of us helps preserve these wild places for future generations.

These principles apply whether you're day hiking on a popular trail, backpacking in a designated wilderness area, or exploring lesser-known destinations. The cumulative impact of individual actions—both positive and negative—shapes the future of our outdoor spaces.

For more information about Leave No Trace, visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.